Fremont lawmakers might postpone a scheduled increase in minimum wages set to take effect this July. They’re meeting next Tuesday to hash out the details.
Minimum wage workers in Fremont were supposed to receive $1.50 more an hour beginning this July.
For those working at businesses with more than 25 employees, this would mean earning $15 an hour. And for smaller businesses, $13.50.
But lawmakers are consideringa delay to help ensure that their local economy can recover from the economic destruction wreaked by the coronavirus.
Fremont Vice Mayor Rick Jones floated the proposal at this week’s city council meeting.
“I know there have been federal stimulus loans and those kinds of things that are supposed to be available, however those are not really coming through,” he said.
He pointed toHayward, which last month went ahead and delayed its mandated wage increase.
Some city council members and the public weighed in to oppose the proposal, citing the cost of living.
City Council members narrowly voted to move forward to further examine the proposal next Tuesday. City staff will come back with details on how the plan could work and its potential impact on local businesses.
